Apparatus for pipe handling



Oct. 6, 1970 0, c. sc s 3,532,229

APPARATUS FOR PIPE HANDLING Filed Nov. 21. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet l 197 0. c. SCAGGS APPARATUS FOR PIPE HANDLING 4 Sheets-Sheet 6;

Filed Nov 21, 1968 ELEM INVENTOR Oev/ue CL ScA cas 1 F y-1F? United States Patent O 3,532,229 APPARATUS FOR PIPE HANDLING Orville C. Scaggs, 918 W. Choctaw, Lindsay, Okla. 73052 Filed Nov. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 777,671 Int. Cl. EZlb 19/14 U.S. Cl. 214--2.5 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for handling oil well casing, drill pipe, etc. which employs both a main elevator and a novel auxiliary pick-up elevator having tensioned positioning mechanism attached thereto for transporting a pipe section from its standby position to a position of readiness for insertion in the pipe string; the function being such that the tensioned positioning mechanism repositions the auxiliary elevator for picking up a next succeeding pipe section as the main elevator operates to lower the pipe string with newly added section down into the borehole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to oil well drilling and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to improved apparatus for handling oil well casing, tubing and drill pipe as it is transferred from a standby position to a position which facilitates its insertion into the pipe string to be lowered thereafter into the well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates oil well pipe trans- A fer rigging including an auxiliary pipe-handling elevator and a tensioned tethering mechanism attached thereto which allows the pipe-handling elevators to transfer pipe from a standby position toward the center of the well rig and, after release of the auxiliary elevator, the tethering apparatus returns the elevator into operative position for being fastened to the next succeeding section of pipe, it having been delivered to the standby position. In its more limited aspects, the invention includes particularly designed pick-up elevators which can be suspended by cables from the traveling block of the rig and which elevators are designed for quick and easy latching about casing, tubing, drill pipe or whatever. The novel rigging apparatus gives rise to the inclusion of special tethering apparatus which may take a variety of forms but which is intended mainly to withdraw the auxiliary elevator from the center of the rig to an operative position over a standby pipe section when the elevator is not latched to the previously delivered pipe section, i.e., upon unlatching of the auxiliary elevator it is immediately guided back into position for being latched to the next succeeding pipe section.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for handling well casing, tubing or drill pipe wherein numerous sections, singles or whatever, can be picked up from storage standby and placed in the string in the well with a great saving in time.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide particular pipe handling apparatus for use with larger types of drilling rigs which provides more assured pipe handling procedure as well as a high degree of safety to operating personnel in and about the oil rig.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for handling of drill pipe and well casing which enables an overall drilling operation to be carried out with a great saving in the required man-hours.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional large type drilling rig including special rigging and adaptive tools in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. '2 illustrates one form of auxiliary pick-up elevator;

FIG. 3 illustrates a form of tethering apparatus which may be employed in the pipe handling rig as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a first stage in casing handling procedure employing the special rigging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a second, following operational depiction of the casing handling procedure;

FIG. 6 is a third operational depiction of the casing handling procedure;

FIG. 7 illustrates casing handling rigging which employs still additional tackle for controlling pipe from the pipe rack;

FIG. 8 illustrates one form of rigging which may be employed in the handling of drill pipe;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a lateral pipe support and rigging as employed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an air cylinder as employed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a second, following operational depiction of the drill pipe handling rigging of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is yet a third operational depiction of the drill pipe handling rigging of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view in section of a pipe-end protector which may be employed with the present pipe handling rigging;

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative form of rigging which may be employed in handling drill pipe, tubing, etc.;

FIG. 15 is a vertical elevation of a novel form of pipegripping cap which may be employed in the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates another operational attitude of the rigging of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 17 illustrates still another operational attitude of the rigging of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates the pipe handling apparatus including particular fixtures or additional tools which enable improved casing handling. The drilling rig 10 is a conventional setup, patterned generally after the larger types of drilling rigs, which consists of a derrick 12 (shown in dash lines) having a rig floor 14 and a supporting substructure 16. The top or upper platform 18 of derrick 12 supports a crown block 20 which generally includes a plurality of pulleys supporting multiple falls of cable 22 which extend from a powered draw works 24 mounted on the rig floor 14. The multiple falls of cable 22 serve to suspend a traveling block 26 in the vertical center of derrick 12.

The traveling block 26 extends a hook 28 which is rotationally connected by virtue of a swivel 30. FIG. 1 includes a casing elevator 32 which consists of a yoke 34 suspended by means of hook 28 such that a pair of bails 36 and 38 provide pivotal connection to opposite sides of a casing elevator body or gripping member 40. The casing elevator 32 is a conventional type of oil field equipment which is employed for vertical manipulation of oil well casing.

The draw works 24 will also power additional winch equipment such as cathead 44 which controls the extension of catline 46, and still other auxiliary winch equipment powered from separate sources may be employed, e.g., a utility winch 48 and the utility or snu bbing line 50. Working platforms such as a stabbing board 52 and treble or fourble boards 54 are suitably placed in conventional manner, depending upon the size and type of drilling rig. The center of the rig floor 14 includes a conventional type of rotary table 56 which suspends a casing string, uppermost casing section 58 with a coupling 59 being shown, by means of a well-known slip assembly (not shown) which serves to seize and support the pipe string. A cylindrical casing head member 60 is shown vertically and centrally aligned beneath rig floor 14, and a typical mouse hole 62 is formed by a vertical pipe 64 to serve as a stand-by pipe holder.

A plurality of pipe sections, shown in FIG. 1 as sections of casing singles 66 are stored on pipe racks 68 and disposed for movement onto a pipe ramp 70 after which the pipe or casing is carried up across a pipe slide 72 to the rig floor 14. A V-door 74 (shown in dashed outline) is provided in the derrick 12 on the side where the pipe slide 72 enters. Thus, a next section of easing 58a which includes its coupling 59a and a conventional type of thread protector 76 is shown in standby position, it having been delivered up the pipe slide 72 to rest on the edge of rig floor 14. Still a following casing section 58b with coupling 59b is shown awaiting next handling from the pipe ramp 70.

Additional casing handling equipment consists of pickup elevator 78 which is controlled by a tether line or cable 80 and tethering or tensioning apparatus 82. The pick-up elevator 78 provides an auxiliary elevator apparatus which is suspended by means of flexible hangers (e.g. wire rope) 84 and 86 that are suitably attached to traveling block 26 by means of some conventional fastening method. Referring to the enlargement of FIG. 2, the pickup elevator 78 consists of a pair of hemi-cylindrical jaw members 88 and 90 which are joined on one side by a suitable hinge 92. The jaw members 88 and 90 are thus capable of opening and closing movement with a manually operative latch 94 and dog 96 holding the jaws closed to define a circular inner passage for gripping and supporting oil well casing.

Each of the jaw members 88 and 90 is movably connectible to one of the flexible hangers 84 and 86 in conventional manner as, for example, the eye 98-loop 100 connection shown on the side of jaw member 88. A pulley 102 is then aflixed on the rear or hinged side of pick-up elevator 78 to provide tethering control as will be further described below. Any of various fastening techniques may be employed to secure the block 104 to the pick-up elevator 78 in a suitable manner such that proper tethering movement will be provided.

The tethering line 80 is secured at an upper extremity of derrick 12 and passed down around the pulley 102 and down through the V-door 74 to the tethering apparatus 82. Tethering apparatus 82 merely consists of a tensioning device which will maintain the tethering line 80 slack free, the tension being selected to provide a desired outward movement of pick-up elevator 78 as will be further described. Referring to the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the tethering apparatus 82 consists of a clamp member 106 which may be suitably fastened on the pipe slide 72 as by the clamping screw 108. The clamp 106 then extends a horizontal pipe or member 110, which, in turn, supports a vertical pipe section 112. The vertical pipe section 112 is fitted to have a pulley 114 rotatably supported on shaft 116 at its upper end, the opposite or lower end being terminated as a hole or opening 118.

A suitable double-thread fastening can be provided as by including a locking nut 120 so that the vertical pipe section 112 can be positioned for proper vertical alignment for varying orientations of clamp member 106 when positioned on a pipe slide 72. The tethering line 80 may then be passed over the upper pulley 114 and down through pipe member 112 where it is terminated in connection to a free-swinging weight 122. The weight 122 is selected to give the proper tethering action to the pick-up elevator 78; for example, a 16 pound weight has been found proper for use with one form of pick-up elevator which weighs approximately 23 pounds. Further variation in operation of the pick-up elevator 78 can be obtained by varying the distance of the upper connection point 124 of tethering line 80 from the vertical center of the derrick 112 (variation along the arrow line 126). Thus, it is desirable that the upper connections of tethering line 80 be made at a convenient and accessible upward location, such as the treble or fourble board, depending upon the rig, so that selected placement of point 124 will provide the proper tethered repositioning of pickup elevator 78. It should be understood that the tethering apparatus 82 may be any of various devices which are capable of exerting a given tension on tethering line 80; thus, compression springs, tensioned cylindrical wind-up devices, etc., may be employed to provide the tethering function.

The operation of the first embodiment and its special rigging is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6 which constitute a series of sucessive operational attitudes. The attitude of FIG. 1 is selected as a start or first attitude wherein well casing is supported in the borehole through rotary table 5'6 by means of slips (not shown) the uppermost casing section 58 and its associated casing coupling 59 being shown protruding therefrom. The casing 581: is in standby position to be added next into the casing or pipe string and it is resting through the V-door 74 over the pipe slide 72. The next successive pipe section 5812 is shown as being in position for further handling on pipe ramp 70 While numerous succeeding casing sections 66 may be brought up from pipe rack 68. Numerous personnel are required in more or less known manner, these include a driller and rig men on rig floor 14, an upderrick control worker on stabbing board '52, and one or more men handling casing on pipe ramp 70 for continual transfer up the pipe slide 72.

FIG. 1 shows the traveling block 26 supporting a casing elevator 32 and an auxiliary pick-up elevator 78 suspended by flexible falls 84 and 816 of predetermined length. Thus, in resuming the casing pick-up procedure, i.e., the pick-up of casing from pipe ramp 70 for insertion downhole in the casing string, the draw works 2-4 is operated to extend control cable 22 to lower traveling block '26 down through the center of the rig to position the pick-up elevators 78 for aflixture to the next section of casing 58a. That is, as main elevators 32 approach the rig floor, the pick-up elevator 78 is urged outward along the tethering line 80 as it rides in pulley 102 of pick-up elevators 78 until it reaches a point for connection. The pick-up elevators 78 can then be easily connected around the casing section 58a to lock under the coupling 59a in a manner whereby the casing is securely held. A protector 76 of conventional type is screwed on the lower threaded end of casing 58a to provide protection when the casing section 58a is slid or dragged in whatever manner.

It should be noted that the upper connection point 124 of tethering cable 80 is made at a preselected point along the direction of arrow 126 at an easily accessible place such as treble board 54, this variation allowing the proper tension for picking up each casing section at a selected point adjacent or within the V-door 74. This will vary with the size of casing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, tensioning apparatus 82 includes a weight 122 of preselected weight and this too provides a degree of control over the operational placement of pick-up elevator 78 for its next latching.

Referring now to FIG. 4, draw works 24 has been operated to wind up control cable 22 thereby raising traveling block 26, pick-up elevators 7 8 and the casing section 58a held therein. Tensioning apparatus 82 and tethering line 80 allow a controlled swing of casing section 58a toward the center of the derrick 12 when its lower end clears the surface of rig floor 14, and this swing positions the casing section 58a for stabbing into the coupling 59 of the casing string as it is held within the rotary table 56. After the stabbing and thread fastening has been carried out, the up-derrick man on stabbing board 52 can release the pick-up elevator 78 such that the tethering line 80 and tensioning apparatus 82 cause elevator '78 to traverse outward in the direction of arrow 130'. With the pick-up elevator 78 being tensioned outward, the draw works 24 can be operated to lower traveling block 26 and the casing elevator 32 for securing about the upper end of casing section 58a and coupling 59a so that the casing string can be released at the rotary table 56 and lowered downward the distance of one section whereupon the slips (not shown) are again set within rotary table '56. The next succeeding casing section 58b is then brought from pipe ramp 70 up across the edge of rig floor 14 through the V-door 74 (as shown in FIG. 4). Casing section 58b may be transferred from ramp 70 in various ways as by separate catline operation or by an integrated operation as will be further described below.

FIG. shows the drilling rig in the attitude where the casing string has been lowered by the casing elevator 32 for slip setting and the next sequence of casing section addition. It can be noted that this lowered posi-,

tion enables the tensioning apparatus 82 and tethering line to guide the pick-up elevators 78 to a position immediately above the next casing section 58b such that a floor operator merely has to push the respective jaw members 88 and 90 (FIG. 2) of the pick-up elevator 78 downward with a slight force for manual latching to secure the casing section 5812 for the ensuing movements of lifting and stabbing into the casing string.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the casing elevator 32 has been released and traveling block 26 is raised upward such that pick-up elevator 78 supported by fiexible falls 84 and 86 carries the next casing section 5 812 upward. When the lower end of easing section 58b clears the edge of rig floor 14 it will swing in with only nominal pendular force to seek a position very near to the upper casing section 58a for stabbing and connection with coupling 59a. The operation can be carried out continually repetitively to insert the required number of casing members in the drill hole. The various gripping members such as casing elevator 32 and pickup elevator 78 may be varied for adaption to the various sizes of oil well casing and, also, the tensioning and positioning of tensioning apparatus 82 and tethering line 80 may be properly varied by means of the upper connecting point 124, the size of weight 122, etc,

FIG. 7 shows an alternative form of operation wherein integral control is included to bring a succeeding casing section 58b in from the pipe ramp 70 to its standby position through V-door 74. Thus, a control cable is connected to the traveling block 26 to extend a well known type of cable pick-up connection 142 (e.g., a noose-thimble configuration) for connection with a casing section 58b awaiting transfer inward from pipe ramp 70. As casing elevator 32 is released from casing section 58 and traveling block 26 is moved upward, the pick-up elevators 78 are positioned to raise the next casing section 58a into position for stabbing into the casing string while control line 140 brings casing section 58b upthe pipe slide 72 to rest through the V-door 74 in the casing standby position. This can all be done in one operation to greatly facilitate casing handling, The control line 140 is shown as having a mid-portion 144 inserted therein by means of manually operable cable connectors 146 and 148 such that the length of control cable section 144 may be varied in accordance with the particular rig and the casing requirements, such variation setting the necessary limits of traverse. A weight 150 is also provided such that when the control cable 140 is thrown off from its connection at the rig floor the weight 150 will carry the cable back down pipe slide 72 to the pipe ramp 70 and the operators thereon.

6 ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 8 shows an oil well rig similar to drilling rig 10 but differing in that it is modified for the handling of drill pipe and well tubing. Thus, an oil well rig 156, including a standby pipe position in the form of a vertical conduit 158 and mousehole 160, employs the conventional traveling block 26, swivel 30 and hook 28 to suspend a main elevator 162, a conventional type of elevator which is employed for handling drill pipe. The elevator 162 consists of a yoke 164 retained within hook 28 and extending a pair of bails (one side being shown) 166 downward for movable connection with the elevator latching assembly 168. Any of the various types of conventional latching assemblies 168 may be included as an integral part of the present rigging.

A lateral pipe supporting assembly 170 is then positioned approximately at the mid-point of the separate ones of bails 166 and supported in generally horizontal attitude by means of supporting cables 172 and 173 which are secured to the hook 28 or, in some cases, the traveling block 26. The pipe support assembly 170 then extends an auxiliary elevator or pipe cable 174 downward for afi'ixture about a pipe, e.g., a drill pipe section to be handled. The construction and operation of pipe support assembly 170 and equivalents is more particular subject matter of the copending US. patent application, Ser. No. 488,042 now Pat. No. 3,368,699 entitled Pipe Handling Methods and Apparatus.

FIG. 9 shows a more detailed view of one form of lateral pipe support assembly 170. Thus, the assembly 170 consists of a V-shaped bar formed as V-legs 176 and 178 joined at outer portion 180 and having flat butt ends 182 and 184, respectively. The flat ends 182 and 184 are each fitted with respective securing chains 186 and 188 which may be easily attached about the opposing bails 166. Flat ends 182 and 184 may thus be maintained along the main elevator 162 by bracing against each of the bails 166. This point of bracing, as to its vertical disposition along bails 166, may be varied to provide varying pendular characteristics to the rigging.

The outer or end portion 180 of pipe support assembly 170 is fitted with an eye extension 190, which receives the supporting cable 172, and a securing eye 192 is secured therebelow in vertical alignment for receiving connection to the pipe cable 174. Pipe cable 174 may be formed from wire rope to include a noose portion 194 as may be embellished with a suitable thimble connection 196. The length of pipe cable 174 will be selected in accordance with the rig size, the size of the pipe be ing handled, and various considerations as derived from the height of rotary table 56 above rig floor 14 and the relative height of the opening of mouse hole 160. A control pulley 198 rotatable on such as a rod 200 is placed approximately at the horizontal mid-point of the pipe support assembly 170 to provide tethering control as will be described.

Tethering control results from various tensions of a tethering cable 202 which is secured at a point 204 on the rig floor 14, near the base of V-door 74, and the tethering cable 202 extends up through support assembly 170 around the pulley 198 and on upward in the derrick 12 to a suitably placed snatch block 206. The cable 202 is then passed around snatch block 206 and returned to the rig floor 14 where tension is taken by means of tensioning apparatus 208, in this case a conventional type of air cylinder as shown in enlarged form in FIG. 10.

The tensioning device 208 comprises a first outer cylinder 210 which may be secured by means of an eye connector 212 and a suitable heavy compression spring 214 to the rig floor 14. The outer cylinder 210 is a conventional type which has a central bore sealed by a cylindrical packing 216 to receive a piston rod 208 reciprocally therein. The tethering cable 202 can then be secured as by a bight portion 220 to an eye bolt 222 which is fastened within the piston 218 and secured by a locking nut 224. Control of the tensioning assembly 208 is effected by application of air pressure by means of an air hose 226 which may be operated from any point about the rig. It has been found preferably that the air hose 226 be energized from a foot treadle control located near the V-door 74 and under the control of the driller. Thus, application of air through the air line 226 will tend to drive the piston (not shown) downward within the outer cylinder 210, contracting the tensioning apparatus 208 as piston rod 218 is drawn downward. Release of applied air pressure through line 226 will allow the extension of tension apparatus 208 and shock absorption and damp ing of various surrounding effects may be effected by the mounting through compression spring 214 to rig floor 14.

Still further pipe handling efiiciency can be realized for a given amount of draw works operation by extending the ramp cable 228 from traveling block 26 or thereabout. Ramp cable 228 is terminated in a suitable working loop 230 for securing to drill pipe on the pipe ramp 70 such that the pipe section is brought into standby position during rig floor operation of making the trip from mousehole to drill hole. A suitable weight 232 is affixed on ramp cable 238 so that the cable is always pulled back down the pipe slide 72 into the ramp working area after it is released at rig floor 14.

The operation of the drill pipe handling rigging is explained with reference to FIGS. 8, 11 and 12. Thus, in FIG. 8 an upper drill pipe section 234, previously connected into the drill pipe string, is shown supported in the rotary table 56 as seized and held by the slips (not shown). The next pipe section 234a is in standby position in the mousehole 160 while a next succeeding pipe section 23412 is resting on pipe slide 72 in a second standby position for transfer on the pipe ramp 70. It should be understood that the same rigging may be employed for handling well tubing and that the rigging is especially useful and time-saving as an aid in hydraulic pressure testing of such tubing sections.

Thus, in making the trip, the draw works 24 (see FIG. 1) is operated to lower the traveling block 26 and therefor the main elevator 162 for connection to standby pipe section 234a in mousehole 160. Since the traveling block 26, hook 28, main elevator 162, etc., is a very heavy assemblage of equipment, the pneumatically controlled tensioning apparatus 208 is employed to effectively shorten the tethering cable 202 such that it bears upon pulley 198 of lateral pipe support assembly 170 (see FIG. 9) to pull it outward from rig center, thereby suspending the elevator assembly 162 outboard over the mousehole 160 for connection to a drill pipe section 234a resting therein. As previously stated, the control of tensioning apparatus 208 by means of air line 226 is preferably a foot controlled function and accessible at the drillers position near the V-door 74. Such suitable air power sources are commonly available around drilling rigs as various drilling equipments and functions require pneumatic power.

Thus, as main elevator 162 is positioned and secured over the standby pipe section 234a the pipe cable 174 suspended from the lateral pipe support assembly 170 can be secured over the second standby pipe section 234b at rest in V-door 74. It is merely necessary to place the noose portion 194 over the upset end of pipe section 234b, a common form of pipe fastening procedure. At the same time the ramp cable 228 is secured to the third standby pipe section 2340 which rests on pipe ramp 70.

Referring now to FIG. 11, tension on tethering cable 202 is released and traveling block 26 is taken upward in the derrick, moving all pipe sections toward the center. That is, main elevator assembly 162 carries standby pipe section 234a up out of mousehole 160 to swing in over the drill hole, thus positioning the standby pipe section 234a for stabbing within the upset end of pipe section 234 which is secured within rotary table 256. Simultaneously, the lateral pipe support assembly 170 suspends pipe section 234b by means of pipe cable 174 in alignment over the mousehole 160 while the ramp cable 228 has moved the third standby pipe section 2340 into position resting on pipe slide 72 up through V-door 74.

After successful stabbing and securing of pipe section 234a within pipe section 234, the slips (not shown) within rotary table 256 may be released to allow lowering of the drill string, and standby sections as shown in FIG. 12. The drill string connected as by pipe section 234a secured within main elevator 162 is lowered while the next standby pipe section 234b has been entered into the mousehole 160. As slack occurs in ramp cable 228 it may be released from the pipe section 2340 for traverse down the pipe slide 272 and connection to a next drill pipe section. The next section would be brought in from the pipe rack (not shown) for placement on the pipe ramp 70. Here again, the tension and positioning of the pipe handling rigging as well as the lengths of the pipe cable 174 and ramp cable 228 is a matter for selection in accordance with the particular oil well rig dimensions.

FIG. 13 shows a pipe-end protector 240 which finds particular utility with the pipe handling rigging as disclosed herein. Protector 240 is shown inserted in the upset end of a section of High Drill-Type oil well tubing 242, but it should be understood that it will find use with similarly collared types of well casing sections. High drill tubing (or casing) is characterized by the fact that it has a narrow upset portion 244 which necessitates a very thin circumferal end 246 that is subject to nicking, mashing, etc., and requires great care in handling. The protector 240 can be inserted as shown to protect end 246 of tubing 242 during pipe handling operations, i.e., protection from damage through bumping or being dragged about the pipe ramp 70 and up along the pipe slide 72 (FIG. 1).

Pipe-end protector 240 consists of a cylindrical rod portion 248 having a flattened, outwardly flanged head 250 formed thereon in rigid connection and perpendicular to said rod portion 248. A resilient cushioning member 252 of rubber, plastic or such is then suitably bonded about the concentric outer flange of head 250. Rod 248 is also formed to have a pair of spaced, circular rings 254 and 256 thereabout to provide limits for a slidable sleeve 258 which is bonded to carry an outer resilient sleeve member 260. Sleeve member 260 may be formed from rubber or other similar material and it may be formed with a plurality of circumferential grooves 262 therearound.

During handling of the requisite type of tubing or casing, the pipe-end protector 240 is employed by inserting rod portion 248 into the opening of upset end 244 such that the resilient sleeve member 260 is firmly lodged down within the threads 268 of tubing 242. This attitude maintains cushioning member 252 in protective contact about the tube end 246 during handling of the tubing section. When the tubing section is delivered to the standby position at the rig floor, release of the boom or pick-up line from the tubing leaves the protector 240 still gripped by the line and it may then be taken back down to the pipe ramp. for use in handling the next succeeding tubing section.

FIG. 14 illustrates another form of rigging which may be employed to handle drill pipe or such between the pipe ramp 70 and rig floor 14. In the particular showing, the rigging is employed in the handling of drill pipe sections 270, 270a and 27%. A tension line 272 is connected between an upper pulley 274 on derrick 12 and a suitable connecting post 276 disposed at pipe ramp 70. The tension line 272 consists of approximately fifteen feet of rubber shock cord 278 of conventional type which is connected serially With a tension cable 280. A pulley line 282 is then connected for operation from tension line 272 to provide the rigging for transferring pipe sections 270.

The pulley cable consists of an upper-section 284 which is connected between the elevator yoke '34 and a first pulley 286 which rides on tension cable 280. A suitable stop member 288 is clamped on tension cable 280 at a desired height which is adjusted in accordance with the particular job. A mid-section 290 of pulley cable 282 then extends from pulley 286 to a pulley 292 which is also disposed for movement along tension cable 280. And finally, a lower-section 294 of pulley cable 282 is connected from pulley 292 to a pipe-gripping cap 296.

The pipe-gripping cap 296 is a releasable device which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 15. Thus, cap 296 consists of a cylindrical member 298 having an end plate 300 welded therein. Also, a suitable thickness of resilient material '302, rubber padding or such, is secured within the end of cap 296 to avoid the possibility of damaging the end of the pipe section 270. From the upper surface of cylindrical member 298 extends a pair of bracket plates 304 while a slot 306 is formed in the upper interior portion of cylindrical member 298 to allow pipe gripping action as will be described below.

A gripper plate 307 is pivotally held within bracket plates 304 "by means of a pin 308. The gripping plate 307 may be moved in its clockwise direction (as shown) to place a gripping or bracing corner 310 against the flanged portion of pipe 270 to provide a secure gripping contact. This gripping action is insured by a tension spring 316 connected to gripper plate 307. A pivot handle 312 is secured as by welding to gripper plate 307 and a connecting eye 314 is formed on the pivot handle 312 to receive connection from such as the lower portion 294 of pulley cable 282. Tension spring 316 is secured between the forward end of cylindrical member 298 and gripper plate 307 to urge the cap 296 into the engaged attitude.

Referring again to FIG. 14, a drill pipe section 270 previously connected into the drill pipe string, is shown supported in the rotary table 56 as held by the slips (not shown). A next pipe section 270a is in standby position as it is leaned upward across pipe slide 72 while the next succeeding pipe section 27% is resting on the pipe ramp in a secondary standby position. Traveling bar 26 may be lowered to position elevator yoke 78 so that it can be fastened around the collar of pipe section 270a and, simultaneously, pulley cable 282 will be in its lowermost position whereby cap 296 can be secured around the collar-end of the drill pipe 27017.

As shown in FIG. 16, the traveling block 26 is moved upward a sufficient distance to allow elevator yoke 78 to position pipe section 270a for insertion in the rotary table 56 in the manner of lower pipe section 270. As traveling block 26 proceeds upward, the pulley cable 282 is moved upward to bring pipe section 2701) up and across pipe slide 72. The pulleys 286 and 292 ride on tension cable 280 such that they will hold pulley line 282 and cap 296 out away from the peak of slide guide 72 to avoid hang-up or damaging contact when coming through the V-door. When upward movement of traveling block 26 is stopped and lowered away to position the vertical pipe section 270a, the spring-release of cap 296 will free the standby pipe section 270b.

Lowering of traveling block 26 to place pipe section 270a down within the rotary table 56, as shown in FIG. 17, will allow the carriage of cap 296 back downward for connection to a next successive pipe section 2700 at the secondary standby position. The elevator yoke 78 can then be removed from pipe section 270a for carriage across the rig floor 14 and connection around the collar of pipe section 270b. The cap 296 will have been lowered completely down to the pipe ramp 270 'whereupon it can be secured to the standby pipe section 2706 so that the equipment is ready for another cycle in the pipe handling process.

The foregoing discloses pipe handling apparatus which is especially attractive for use in the larger types of drilling rigs which are used for the deeper wells whch require multiple stages of casing insertion, repeated continuous pipe handling procedure, etc. A great saving in time and expense is effected by employing the pick-up procedures set forth herein, for pick-up and insertion of both casing and drill pipe. While specitfic sub-components of the rigging systems are disclosed herein it should be understood that various alternatives may be employed r for such as the tensioning apparatus, lateral pipe support frame, and various subcomponents of the pipe handling rigging.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangements of elements as set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings; it being understood that changes may be made in the embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved pipe handling apparatus for oil well drilling rigs which include a derrick, substructure, rotary table, draw works, and a crown block and traveling block supported within said derrick, wherein the improvement comprises:

means for holding an unconnected pipe section in a standby position proximate to said derrick and substructure;

elevator means pivotally attached to said traveling block for being secured to another pipe section;

pipe supporting means movably suspended from said traveling block for being attached to said unconnected pipe section;

tethering means rigidly connected to said substructure at the standby position and being movably connected to said pipe supporting means; and

tension means controlling said tethering means to effect predetermined lateral movement of said elevator means and said pipe supporting means.

2. An improved pipe handling apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for holding an unconnected pipe section in a standby position comprises:

a vertical conduit disposed in said substructure outward from said rotary table to define a mousehole for holding an unconnected drill pipe section.

in claim 1 wherein said elevator means comprises:

swivel and hook means connected to said traveling block;

yoke means including a pair of vertically extending bails connected to said hook means;

latching means for secure connection to drill pipe, said latching means being movably attached to the lower end of said bails.

4. An improved pipe handling apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pipe supporting means comprises: frame means being secured at one end to each of said bails and being disposed generally horizontal; cable means connected between said traveling block and the other end of said frame means to support the frame means in its horizontal position; and second cable means connected to the other end of said frame means for being attached to said unconnected pipe section.

5. An improved pipe handling apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for tensioning said pipe supporting means comprises:

pulley means rotatably aifixed to the approximate horizontal mid-point of said frame means;

snatch block means secured to said derrick at an upper location;

a tethering cable being secured to said substructure at said standby position and being led around said pulley means and around said snatch block means for downward return to said substructure;

pneumatic cylinder means affixed to said substructure and receiving said downward return of the tethering cable; and

means for controlling said pneumatic cylinder means to vary the length of said tethering cable.

6. In an oil well drilling rig which includes a derrick and a substructure supporting draw works, said draw 3. An improved pipe handling apparatus as set forth works being connected through a crown block located up in said derrick to power a traveling block which is suspended over a rotary table mounted in said substructure, improved pipe handling apparatus comprising:

first means adjacent said substructure for supporting a pipe section;

elevator means connected to said traveling block for afiixture to an upper pipe section to lower the pipe string downward through the rotary table into the drill hole;

pick-up elevator means suspended below said elevator means;

a pair of flexible cable connectors each being affixed between an opposite side of said pick-up elevator means and said traveling block;

pulley means attached to said pick-up elevator means;

and

tensioning means mounted proximate to said first means and including a tethering line which is led around said pulley means and connected higher up in the derrick such that said pick-up elevator means is continually biased toward said tensioning means.

7. In an oil well drilling rig as set forth in claim 6, improved pipe handling apparatus wherein said first means comprises:

a V-door opening through one side of said derrick at the level of said substructure;

pipe ramp means;

pipe slide means extending from said pipe ramp means up to the top of said substructure at said V-door opening, said pipe section being supported at rest between said pipe ramp means and said substructure and through said V-door opening.

8. In an oil well drilling rig as set forth in claim 6, improved pipe handling apparatus wherein said elevator means comprises:

casing elevator means to be afiixed to an upper section of oil well casing.

9. In an oil well drilling rig as set forth in claim 6, improved pipe handling apparatus wherein said tensioning means comprises:

a hollow cylindrical member securely affixed in generally vertical disposition proximate to said first means;

second pulley means movably secured across the upper end of said cylindrical means;

tethering cable means secured at a point up in said derrick and being passed downward around said pulley means which is attached to said pick-up elevator means and over said second pulley means and down through said cylindrical means; and

weight means secured to the lower end of said tethering cable means to maintain said continual outward bias on said pick-up elevator means.

10. In an oil well drilling rig as set forth in claim 6, 1

improved pipe handling apparatus wherein said pick-up elevator means comprises:

a pair of hemi-cylindrical members;

hinge means securing said hemi-cylindrical members along one side;

latch and dog means affixed to said hemi-cylindrical members to permit manual control of opening and closure;

a pair of connector members, one disposed on each hemi-cylindrical member for receiving said flexible cable connectors.

11. In an oil well drilling rig as set forth in claim 10,

improved pipe handling apparatus wherein said tensioning means comprises:

a hollow cylindrical member securely afiixed in generally vertical disposition proximate to said first means;

second pulley means movably secured across the upper end of said cylindrical means;

tethering cable means secured at a point up in said derrick and being passed downward around said pulley means which is attached to said pick-up elevator means and over said second pulley means and down through said cylindrical means; and

tensioning means secured to the lower end of said tethering cable means to maintain said continual outward bias on said pick-up elevator means.

12. In an oil well drilling rig as set forth in claim 11, improved pipe handling apparatus wherein said first means comprises:

a V-door opening through one side of said derrick at the level of said substructure;

pipe ramp means;

pipe slide means extending from said pipe ramp means up to the top of said substructure at said V-door opening, said pipe section being supported at rest between said pipe ramp means and said substructure and through said V-door opening.

13. An improved pipe handling apparatus for oil well drilling rigs which include a derrick, sub-structure, rotary table, draw works, and a crown block and traveling block Supported within said derrick, wherein the improvement comprises:

first means for holding an unconnected pipe section in a standby position proximate to said derrick and substructure;

pick-up elevator means suspended from said traveling block for aflixture to a pipe section to impart vertical movement thereto;

pipe ramp means adjacent said derrick and substructure for supporting pipe sections in a second standby position;

tension cable means resiliently connected to an upper portion of said derrick and connected to said pipe ramp means at its lower end;

pulley cable means having at least one pulley affixed therealong, said pulley riding along said tension cable means, and said pulley having the upper end connected to said traveling block; and

cap means connected to the pulley cable means lower end, said cap means being releasably connectable to said pipe section in said second standby position.

14. An improvement for pipe handling apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said cap means comprises:

cylindrical means insertable over the end of said pipe section;

locking means pivotally afiixed on the cylindrical means and connected to said pulley cable means such that tension of the cable means causes said locking means to bear against the pipe section in gripping relationship;

spring means connected between said cylindrical means and said pivotal locking means to urge the locking means toward non-bearing position relative to said pipe section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,368,699 2/1968 Scaggs 2142.5

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner 

